Switch for electronic watch

ABSTRACT

A multi-position switch particularly adaptable for an electronic watch comprises a movable plate or disk mounted within a cup-like body and rotatable about an axis to different positions for accomplishing various setting or operating modes. Fixed contacts on the inside of the switch plate are spaced apart but electrically connected so that when the plate is rotated to certain positions relative to its central axis the contacts are aligned for engagement with a particular pair of a series of terminals located on the inside planar surface of the switch body and connected through the body to the internal circuitry of the device. The interconnection of certain pairs of terminals accomplished by the contacts activates internal circuitry of the device to produce the desired operating function or mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 407,147, filedOct. 17, 1973 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,033.

This invention relates to a multi-position switch and more particularlyto a switch that is well adapted for use with an electronic watch orsome other relatively small electronic device.

With devices such as electronic watches, the overall size of the timingmechanism and driving circuit is a vital factor that can greatly affectits appearance, utility and marketability. One well known form ofelectronic watch generally comprises a crystal oscillator, an integratedcircuit semi-conductor device providing the counter and drivingcircuitry, a coil, a battery and a digital display. In addition to thesebasic components a switching means is required in order to set the watchdisplay to the proper time as when the battery is replaced. Although theintegrated circuit art and other advances in the field of electronicminiaturization drastically reduced the size of the aforesaid basicwatch components, it was heretofore still a serious problem to packagethe components in a space having overall dimensions and thickness smallenough to be practical for a wrist watch of the like. Prior to thepresent invention, one setting switch commonly used for such watches wasa standard rotary electronic switch with a stem and crown drive. Thisswitch was relatively bulky in size and had to be accommodated insidethe watch case with the other components, thereby contributingsubstantially to the total space required within the watch case. Thepresent invention provides a multi-position switch for electronicwatches that solves this space problem. Another form of setting meanscommonly used for watches was two push button switches. However, thesewere expensive to incorporate in a watch structure as well as beingawkward to operate.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, my switchcomprises a disk or plate located within a shallow cup-like switch bodylocated on the front or back of the watch case rather than inside of thecase. This disk is retained so as to be rotatable about its central axisto any preselected position, and on its inside surface are projectionsforming electrical contacts. On the inside-planar surface of the switchbody are a plurality of spaced apart electrical terminals connected toconductors of a predetermined shape and these terminals extend throughthe switch body to the appropriate electronic circuit components withinthe watch case. The contacts on the back of the disk are so spaced andarranged that in various rotational positions of the disk certain of thecontacts will be aligned with and contact certain combinations of theelectronic terminals. Thus, when the disk or switch plate is positionedselectively the aligned contacts and terminals engage to provideelectrical continuity between the engaged terminals, thereby activatingthe internal circuitry connected thereto to produce the desiredfunction. For a watch using my switch the different rotational positionsmarked on the watch case indicate when the contacts will be aligned withthe terminals for causing the hour display to advance, the minutedisplay to advance, or to "hold" the display or to merely "run" in itsnormal operating mode.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide animproved multi-position switch, especially for use on relatively smallelectronic devices such as electronic watches.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a controllablemulti-position switch for electronic watches that is located outside ofthe interior cavity formed by the watch case, thereby providing morespace within the case for the other essential watch components.

Another object of my invention is to provide a multi-position switch forelectronic watches that eliminates the need for a turnable stem thatprojects outwardly from the case of the watch.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a controllableswitch for electronic watches that is easy to operate, yet one that isrelatively more reliable and trouble free than conventional watchswitches and not easily operated inadvertently or damaged by extraneousforces that may be applied to the watch.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide acontrollable multi-position switch particularly adaptable for electronicwatches which can be economically manufactured with a high degree ofprecision.

Another more specific object of the present invention is to provide animproved switch for electrically operated devices wherein interconnectedcontacts on a movable disk member are alignable at different settablepositions for engagement with terminal members of the switch indifferent combinations to provide various operational or functionalmodes for the circuitry connected to the switch terminal members.

Another object of my invention is to provide a structural arrangementfor an electronic watch having a setting switch located on the outsideof its case.

Other objects, advantages and features of my invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of one preferredembodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an enlarged front view of an electronic watch embodying theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear view of the watch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged plan view showing the general layout ofcomponents for the watch of FIGS. 1 and 2 before they are installed inthe case;

FIG. 4 is a view in section taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view in section taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged view in section of the entire watch ofFIGS. 1 and 2 taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view in section showing theswitch for the watch of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7 showing the relativelocation of the contact points and terminals for the switch in oneoperating position with other operating positions shown in phantom;

FIG. 9 is a view in section similar to FIG. 7 showing another form ofswitch according to my invention;

FIG. 10 is a view in section taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11a is a view in section of still another form of my switch havinga push-in connect feature;

FIG. 11b is a view similar to FIG. 11a showing the switch in theactivated position;

FIG. 12 is a view in section taken along line 12--12 of FIG. 11a;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged front view of another electronic watch embodyingthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged rear view of the watch of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a view in section taken along line 15--15 of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows an electronic watch 10having an outer case 12 with a digital display 14 on its front side thatindicates hours and minutes. The watch case which serves to house itselectronic components may be made from any suitable material such as arelatively thin metal that can be formed to a desired shape. FIG. 2shows the rear case plate 16 for the watch within which is mounted aswitch 18 embodying the principles of the present invention. As shown,the rear plate is marked with appropriate indicia as circumferentiallocations around the switch to show the various positions for settingthe hour display (HRS), the minute display (MIN), and the hold and runpositions. These are the normal setting functions that heretofore wereaccomplished by a standard stem and crown drive connected to aconventional rotary electronic switch located inside of the watch case.

FIGS. 3-5 are enlarged views showing the arrangement of the variousinterconnected watch components for an electronic watch that must bepackaged together and housed within the case 12. As shown in FIG. 3, thepackage is extremely compact and includes a substrate or mounting board20 of ceramic or plastic material having a generally rectangular shapewith a recess 22 on its planar top surface within which is mounted anintegrated circuit semi-conductor device 24 comprising the clock logicand drive circuitry. Conductive paths 26 formed on the top surface ofthe substrate using standard printed circuit techniques extend to aseries of connection pads 28 at one end thereof. A cover 30 fits overthe recess 22 and the integrated circuit device 24 therein and issecured, as by bonding, to the substrate 20. A spacer 32 made of asuitable dielectric material is located around or at opposite ends ofthe cover and has the same thickness. Mounted on top of the device coverand the spacer is the digital display package 14 which is preferably oneusing a so-called liquid crystal material. Since the construction ofsuch display devices is well known to those skilled in the art it neednot be described here. Adjacent to one end of the display is anotherrecess 36 in the substrate which is open on its bottom or back side, andwithin this recess is the battery 38 for the watch. Along one side ofthe display and circuit device is a third recess 40 in the substratewithin which are mounted the crystal device 42 and the coil 44. Thus, itis seen that all of the essential components of the electronic watchsystem except the switch may be packaged as one internal assembly andthese components are electrically interconnected by suitable conductors(not shown) using conventional interconnect techniques such as printedcircuit conductors on the substrate with appropriate soldered or bondedconnections and terminals.

Extending through the bottom surface of the substrate and from the logiccircuitry are two wires 46 and 48 which are necessary for the variousswitching functions, namely "set hours," "set minutes," "hold" andnormal "run." These wires extend through feed-through fittings 50 in thesubstrate to the back side of the switch 18. When the "set hours" or"set minutes" positions are activated the circuitry will advance thehour or minute portion of the display until the desired digits aredisplayed at which point the switch may be disconnected. In the "hold"position the display is essentially disconnected so that it will remainon one indication until a synchronizing point is reached at which timethe "hold" is released and the display commences to advance normally.The "run" position is for the normal operating mode for the watchcircuit.

Turning to FIG. 6, the internal components package 20 is shown installedwithin the case 12, as in a typical watch installation. A lens 52 at thefront of the watch may be retained against the edges 54 of an opening inthe front of the case 12 by a generally annular internal face plate 56.The components package is supported within the case such as by fasteners(not shown) so that the display 14 is properly positioned in back of thelens. The back case plate 16 containing the switch 18 has an edge 58that may be retained by a pressed fit along a complementary edge of thecase sidewall. A removable cover member 60 is provided in the back caseplate for access to the battery 38.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the switch 18is made as a separate subassembled unit and is installed within anopening in the back case plate 16. It may be held in place by anysuitable means such as epoxy adhesive 64 preferably placed around theinside edge of the opening. The switch comprises a cup-shaped body thatmay be formed from some suitable material such as beryllium copper andit has a generally planar bottom side 66 with a uniform, integralsidewall 68. Supported within the switch body is an actuator disk 70which may be formed from a rigid, preferably non-magnetic metal such asstainless steel. This disk has a recess around its upper edge forming acircular shoulder 72 and extending diametrically across its top surfaceis a slot 74 capable of receiving the edge of a suitable turninginstrument such as a coin. Extending from the the underside of the diskin this embodiment of the switch are a pair of spaced apart projections76 which serve to retain and position a conductive wiper member 78 onthe disk. The wiper member may be in the form of a thin sheet of metaland has a pair of contact members 80 and 82 that are bent downwardlyfrom the underside of the disk 70 which are spaced 180° apart. At theouter edge of the wiper member are radially extending portions 84 whichprovide contacts with the cup-like body member. In the form shown, theseedge portions are also bent downwardly to engage the bottom innersurface of the body bottom 68 just inside of its sidewall. Since thecontact members 80 and 82 are all part of the wiper member and integralwith the portions 84 they are also ground contacts. The disk is heldwithin the body member by an upper edge flange 86 of the sidewall whichis bent inwardly over an annular gasket member 88 that fits within theperipheral recess of the disk on the shoulder 72 formed thereby. Thisseal is preferably made of some non-conductive material that affords aminimum amount of frictional resistance to the actuator disk 72, such asa polytetrafluoroethylene material. Thus, the disk may be rotatablewithin the body member by a suitable instrument inserted within the diskslot 76. Fixed to the inside bottom surface of the switch body is a thindielectric sheet 90 having on it a pair of terminal areas 92 and 94 eachhaving a predetermined size and shape and formed from a layer ofconductive metal. These conductive areas surround a pair of spaced apartterminals 96 and 98 which extend above insulated feed-throughs 100 and102 located in the bottom of the switch body and are connected to theleads 46 and 48 extending into the feed-throughs. In this embodiment, itis assumed that the internal circuitry of the watch or the device beingcontrolled is provided with a relatively large pullup resistor. Thus,when a wiper contact, which is also connected to a plus ground throughthe case, contacts the terminal, it will cause that terminal to assume aplus ground polarity, which will provide the same voltage level orsignal to the logic circuitry. As shown in FIG. 8, the conductive areasaround their respective terminals are shaped so that they may becontacted by one wiper contact in various rotational positions of theactuator disk. Assuming that the terminals are located on a diametralline on the circular sheet 90 extending through the 9:00 o'clock and3:00 o'clock points, (assuming that the bottom surface of the watch bodyis a clock face) the area 92 connected to the terminal 96 extends to the8:00 o'clock and 11:00 o'clock positions. The area 94 connected to theterminal 98 extends to the 4:00 o'clock and 5:00 o'clock positions. Theterminals 96 and 98 are spaced closer to the center axis of the sheet 90than are the contacts 80 and 82 on the wiper 78. Thus, as shown in FIG.8, when the switch actuator disk 70 is set in the "Run" position thecontacts 80 and 82 are in the 9:00 o'clock and 3:00 o'clock positionsand are not contacting the terminal contact areas 92 and 94. Thus, bothof the terminals are kept at the electrical state (negative) whichallows the logic circuit to run in its normal operating mode. Now, ifthe actuator disk is turned to the "Hold" position, the contacts 80 and82 of the wiper are at the 10:00 o'clock and 4:00 o'clock positions onthe sheet 90. The contact 80 at 10:00 o'clock is not in contact with theconductive area 92 but the contact 82 is in contact with the area 94.Because of the internal pullup resistor, previously mentioned, theterminal 96 is at its normal (negative) condition, while the terminal 98assumes a grounded or positive state, as a result of the switch. Thiscombination produces a "hold" on the timing circuitry. When the switchdisk is moved to the reset minutes positions (MIN), both contacts 80 and82 are in contact with their respective conductive areas 92 and 94 andthe terminals 96 and 98 are both at the positive or grounded state whichcauses the circuitry to periodically advance the minutes on the displayat some predetermined clock rate. Similarly, when the switch disk ismoved to the reset hours position (HRS), the contact 80 engages the area92 and produces a positive or gounded state on the terminal 96 while thecontact 82 does not contact the area 94 and leaves the terminal 98 atits negative state. This combination causes circuitry to advance thehour display section at a clocked rate to facilitate setting the watch.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show another form of rotary switch 18a embodying theprinciples of my invention wherein four terminals instead of two areprovided within the switch. Here, one terminal 96 connected to the logiccircuitry is centrally located and the other three terminals are spacedequally from it and 120° apart, one of which is the other logic terminal98. The second of these three terminals designated by the numeral 104 isconnected to a lead 106 from the (negative) power source or battery 38of the device. The third terminal 108 is connected to a lead 110 from aninternal ground plus connection within the watch or device. Thus, inthis embodiment, no pullup resistors are required for the internalcircuitry and no continuous ground contact between the case and the diskmust be made, as by the extended wiper portions 84. The switch 18a couldbe made as a separate unit similar to the switch 18, but as shown inFIG. 9, it may also be made with a body that is integral with a backcover plate 16a of the watch case. Here, the switch body is formed as acircular cup-like recess which extends inwardly from the cover plate. Anactuator disk 70a is retained within the recess and held against anannular non-conductive spacer 111 by a split retaining ring 112 which isseated in a groove in the wall 114 of the recess. The actuator disk hasa peripheral shoulder 72a which retains a non-conductive gasket member88a that fits under the ring 112. The disk 70a is a conductive wipermember 116 having four bent down portions to form a central contact 118and three other contacts 120, 122 and 124 which are spaced apart fromeach other and at the same distance from the central contact. Thesecontacts are shown in phantom in FIG. 10. The spacing of these contactsis such that at different rotational positions of the actuator disk thevarious terminals will be connected to either a power source or toground. The central contact 118 is aligned with and in constant contactwith the central terminal 96 which is connected to the logic circuitry.Fixed to the inside bottom surface of the switch body is a dielectriclayer 126 to which the four terminals 96, 98, 104 and 108 are attached.Around each of the outer terminals is a layer of conductive materialformed as an area of a predetermined shape so as to provide the desiredengagement between one of the disk contacts and a terminal as theactuator disk is rotated to different positions. The shape of thesethree conductive areas 130, 132, and 134 around the terminals 104, 108and 98 is also shown in FIG. 10. As indicated in this view, terminal 104and its conductive area 130 are connected to the negative power supplyof the device; terminal 108 and its conductive area 132 are connected toground potential; and terminal 98 and its conductive area 134 areconnected to the internal logic or control circuitry. Thus, as shown,when the switch is in the "Run" position none of the contacts is on thepower terminal 104, but they are aligned with and engaging the groundterminal 108 and the logic circuit terminals 96 and 98, thereby puttingthem at ground or (+) potential and causing the watch to run normally.When the switch is moved to the reset minutes position, logic terminalsare connected by engaging contacts to the power terminal, therebycausing them to supply a negative signal to the logic circuit andadvance the minutes display. In the "Hold" position, the terminal 98 isnot connected to power and remains at its negative potential, while thelogic terminal 96 is connected to ground, thereby causing the logiccircuitry to "hold" the display at one point. At the reset hours "HRS"positions the polarity of the logic terminals is reversed to cause thelogic circuitry to advance the hours display.

In a further modification of my invention a switch 18b is shown in FIGS.11a, 11b and 12 wherein a disk actuator 70b is rotatable to apre-selected position and then is movable inwardly as by thumb pressureto make contacts with terminals within the switch. Here, a switch bodysimilar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 is provided which is securedwithin a cover plate of the device. The leads 46 and 48 from the logicor control circuitry of the device and leads 106 and 110 from a groundand negative power source extend through the bottom of the switch bodyto four terminals 96, 98, 104 and 108 that are spaced apart and fixed toa dielectric sheet 126b on the body in a manner similar to the terminalsof FIGS. 9 and 10. However, here, no conductive areas around theterminals are provided and each is connected to its respective leadwhich is surrounded by an insulating feed-through in the switch bottom.On the underside of the actuator disk 70b of this switch 18b are aseries of six projections 118b, 120b, 122b, 124b, 126b and 128b, formingcontacts that are spaced apart in a manner similar to the wiper contactsof the previous embodiment. Here, the contact 118b is the centralcontact and in the position shown in FIG. 12, the other contacts arelocated at 3:00, 6:00, 8:00, 11:00 and 12:00 o'clock locations relativeto each other. The actuator disk 70b is supported within the switch bodyon a resiliently yieldable ring 140 which is made from a suitableelastomeric material. Normally, this latter ring maintains the actuatordisk 70b up against a circular sealing gasket 142 that is retained by anannular flange 86b of the switch body, and in this idle or "off"position, the projecting contacts of the actuator disk 70b cannot engagethe terminals on the bottom of the switch. When it is desired toactivate the switch 18b the disk 70b is first turned to the selectedposition (e.g. "Hold" or "Reset Hours," etc.) and then is pressedinwardly. This causes a compression of the ring 140 and an axialmovement of the disk which allows certain disk projections to makecontact with aligned terminals. For example, in the "Run" position shownin FIG. 12, the contact 120b is in contact with the ground terminal 108,and the contacts 118b and 122b are in contact with the logic terminals96 and 98. Thus, both are at ground potential, thereby maintaining thewatch in the "Run" mode. A rotary movement and inward pressure on thedisk 70b to another position will cause a different combination ofcontacts with the terminals to provide the desired operating mode aspreviously described. As soon as the pressure is released the contactsare broken. This version of my switch prevents the possibliity ofleaving the switch closed in one position for an undesired length oftime.

In some applications it is desirable to provide my switch in the frontof the watch 10. Thus, the embodiment of FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 includesthe switch 18 format within the front of a watch outer case 12a which ismarked with the switch function indicia as shown. FIG. 14 shows a rearcase plate 16b having only an access port for the battery 38. Thesectional view of FIG. 15 illustrates a packaging arrangement providinga front mounting for the switch 18. The digital display 14 is viewablethrough a lens 52a which may be contoured to provide additional room forthe switch on the front of the case 12a. Adjacent to the lens 52a theswitch 18 is placed in a position enabling the interconnection wires 46and 48 to connect the switch 18 with the substrate 20a to enable aperson to perform time setting switching functions of the watch 10,while simultaneously viewing the display 14 and the switch 18. It is tobe understood that any of the switch embodiments described hereinbeforeis suitable for inclusion within the front of the watch case 12a. Thus,the discussion covering the operation and structure of the severalswitch embodiments of my invention will not be repeated here.

From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that the presentinvention provides a highly versatile switch that can be made relativelysmall and compact and yet provide a multiplicity of functions or switchpositions. Although a limited number of terminals are employed on theillustrated examples of my switch, it is of course possible to provideadditional terminals and by contacting different combinations of suchterminals with contacts on the switch actuator and even greater numberof switch functions may be provided. Also, while the invention has beendescribed in terms of embodiments particularly adaptable for use in anelectronic watch it may be highly useful on a wide variety ofelectrically operated devices, especially where a multiplicity of switchposition is desired.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, manychanges in construction and widely differing embodiments andapplications of the invention will suggest themselves without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and thedescription herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be inany sense limiting.

I claim:
 1. In an electronically operated watch having internalcomponents including a mounting board, an electric circuit means fixedto said board, a power supply means for powering said watch connected tosaid circuit means, a housing means for supporting said componentstherein including front and rear wall members connected by a peripheralsidewall and a display means including hours and minutes indicationsmounted in said front member and connected to said circuit means, arotary switch means situated in said front wall member and connectedtherethrough to said circuit means for setting the hours and minutes onsaid display means, said switch means comprising:a relatively thin,disk-like body forming a shallow recess and extending inwardly from saidfront wall member, said body having a planar bottom portion partiallycovered by dielectric material, a plurality of terminals on said bottomportion each being exposed on the surface of said dielectric materialand connected therethrough to said circuit means, a rotatable actuatordisk supported within said shallow recess of said body, contact means onthe underside of said actuator disk for contacting individual terminalsand interconnecting preselected pairs of terminals in differentcombinations when the disk is placed in various rotational positions forthereby controlling said display means.
 2. The timepiece as described inclaim 1 wherein said disk-like body is a separately prefabricated memberwhich is secured within an opening in said front wall member.
 3. Thetimepiece as described in claim 1 wherein said disk-like body is formedas an integral part of said front wall member.
 4. The timepiece asdescribed in claim 3 wherein said contact means are wiper members thatproject downwardly from the underside of said actuator disk for engagingsaid terminals in different combinations at different positions of saiddisk.
 5. The timepiece as described in claim 3 wherein said contactmeans are projections on the underside of said disk and resilientlyyieldable means under said disk for normally preventing said contactsfrom engaging said terminals until external axial pressure is applied tosaid disk.
 6. The timepiece as described in claim 4 wherein said wipermembers are downwardly bent portions of a thin metal plate fixed to theunderside of said actuator disk, said plate having outer edge portionsforming a ground contact with said body.
 7. The timepiece as describedin claim 1 including a thin, dielectric sheet fixed to said planarbottom portion, said terminals being supported by and exposed along theupper surface of said sheet, and conductive area means on said sheet,connected to said terminals and extending therefrom and having apredetermined irregular shaped pattern so as to be contacted by saidcontact means and thereby interconnect different combinations ofterminals when said actuator disk is rotated to various preselectedpositions.
 8. The timepiece as described in claim 7 wherein there aretwo said terminals, each with a conductive area means on said dielectricsheet, said actuator disk is provided with two said wiper means spaced180° apart.
 9. The timepiece as described in claim 8 wherein one of saidconductive area means on said dielectric sheet extends radiallyoutwardly from one said terminal to cover a radial area of at least 30°from the center of said sheet and the other said area means has a pairof radially extending portions from its terminal which are substantially90° apart.
 10. The timepiece as described in claim 8 wherein there arethree said terminals each with a conductive area means and a centralterminal on said dielectric sheet, and said contact means on saidactuator disk has four downwardly extending projections.
 11. Thetimepiece as described in claim 10 wherein first and second conductivearea means on said dielectric sheet both have two radially extendingportions spaced about 90° apart from the center of said sheet, and athird said area means has a radially extending portion covering asegmental area of 30° from the center of said sheet.